By Adib Zalkapli
KOTA BAHRU, Nov 15 — Pointing out that the party has been expending a lot of energy on damage control, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today told the Kelantan PKR grassroots to address their disagreements within the party framework.
“Sometimes everybody wants to talk like ‘jaguh kampung’ so we end up working like a fire brigade,” the opposition leader told the state PKR convention here.
“Disagreements at divisional level should not lead to a national crisis, discuss the matter at the state level; if cannot, bring it to the central leadership,” he added.
Anwar said that he had warned the party’s elected representatives to use internal channel in voicing out their opinions.
“If you want to deviate from the party struggle, speaking against the party policy, please join Umno, MCA or MIC,” he said.
“I have met the MPs and I warned them, you can criticise us, you can attack us, but do it within our space,” said Anwar in his 30-minute speech.
Since its impressive performance in Election 2008, PKR has witnessed several public disagreements among its leaders. Recently two of its MPs, Zulkifli Noordin and Sivarasa Rasiah, challenged each other to resign.
Sivarasa had said that Anwar’s warning at the Penang PKR convention urging party leaders to shape up was directed at Zulkifli, resulting in seven of the party’s MPs speaking out against Sivarasa.
Speaking to reporters after delivering his keynote address, Anwar admitted that the party has been structurally loose.
“Our party culture, from the beginning we have been giving too much leeway and it has been causing a lot of problems,” said Anwar when asked if PKR was facing communication problems among its grassroots leaders.
“There will be freedom, but it should not lead to the violation of party policy,” he added.
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form
